Glacier plays Big Sky to decide playoff outlook

Glacier is riding high, working its way back from a 1-2 start to rip off six straight wins, setting itself up for a home playoff game and a favorable schedule in the playoffs. But, the final game on the schedule is much more treacherous than the records may make it seem.

Missoula Big Sky, playing at home for senior night, needs a win to extend its season, and could salvage its up and down campaign with a upset victory over No. 2 Glacier.

“Big Sky’s a dangerous team,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said.

“I think they’re one of the most talented teams in the state. Unfortunately for them they’ve lost a couple tough games. They’ve been in every game, they’ve just lost them tough at the end.”

The Eagles lost their opener to Helena Capital in overtime and took Billings West to the brink last week.

Quarterback Cole Baker has stretched defenses this season, averaging more than 213 yards passing.

Nico Graham has been one of the top receivers in the state and Jay Owens has averaged 80 yards on the ground.

“Baker and his crew are going to test our secondary like we haven’t been for awhile,” Bennett said.

“It’s going to be a battle for us.”

Glacier enters the game with the top defense in the state, in both scoring and total defense, touting the second-ranked pass defense and the best in pass efficiency.

The Wolfpack has forced 20 interceptions, the most in the state.

“I think our defense has the right attitude, I love it,” Bennett said.

“It’s a mentality that our defense wants to get out there. Whether it’s off a kickoff or a punt, or off a turnover, they want to go out there.”

Bennett said he hopes that attack mentality spreads to the offense, which has had trouble turning turnovers into points this season and has stalled a number of times in the red zone with nothing to show for it.

“We’ve kind of floundered a bit,” Bennett said.

“We’d like to hit the ground running and keep going offensively and not have those frustrating drives.

“We’ve had some great opportunities where we’ve had the ball handed to us in the red zone and don’t do anything with it. (In the playoffs) you’re going to come down to a tight game where if you get that, you’re going to have to turn it into points. I don’t think we’ve done that as well as we can or need to.”

With five teams tied atop the conference at 7-2 entering this weekend, Glacier enters its final game with a chance to secure the top seed in the playoffs.

If the four other teams win, Glacier would take the top seed if it wins by more than four points.

The Wolfpack gained the edge by winning big against Billings Skyview and Helena Capital, the two teams that have played each of the top five teams.

Big Sky would make the playoffs with a win against Glacier and a loss by Skyview, which plays West this weekend.

Tonight’s game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Missoula County Stadium.

“That’s what makes football so much fun. You come down to the end of the season and both teams are going to play their butts off to get in the playoffs or get the top seed,” Bennett said.